New Orleans to honor Katrina’s 20th anniversary with week of events and summit

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The week begins on Aug. 23 with a citywide day of service.

Residents will be able to register and join several city departments in cleaning up Oliver Bush Playground in the Lower Ninth Ward, hit hard by Katrina.

If you’re not able to attend this specific project, the city is encouraging residents to do some beautifying of their own neighborhoods.

“We’re also encouraging and grateful for our neighborhood associations who also have a ton of opportunities planned, so that way we can really make sure that across the city, people find ways to engage,” Katrina 20 Internal Planning Committee Member Asya Howlette said.

From Aug. 24 through the 29, organizations across the city will host their own events including film festivals, second lines, healing spaces and more.

“Our intent is to spend the next month reflecting on how far we’ve come and how far we have left to go to remember that there was no blue print on how to recover from the worst natural and manmade disaster in this nation,” New Orleans & Company President Walt Leger said.

The events will culminate on Aug. 30 at the mayor’s K20 summit, full of conversations acknowledging the city’s past 20 years and the path moving forward.

“It’s already a heavy moment, but its also making sure that we’re celebrating the culture that has sustained the people of New Orleans, so we’re really excited for hosting a day for the people,” Howlette said.

The summit is an event for people of all ages, even those who were young children at the time of the storm.

“You are welcome. We want your stories and also I think that it’s very ground in New Orleans and an intergenerational appreciation for having our elders and young people in a room together and share wisdom and also plan for where we’re headed,” Howlette said.

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